While sometimes it may seem like a waste of time, or even a hassle taking you dog to the veterinarian for their routine check, doing so may just save their life.

‘Getting your dog looked at just once a year by a vet can help ensure your pet is ACTUALLY healthy, and increase their lifespan’, says Dr Mark, who stresses the importance of annual checks even if you think nothing is wrong with your pet.

Dr Mark also explains that time is of this essence with your pet’s health, ‘sadly in some cases, by the time symptoms have appeared there isn't much we can do.’

Part of being a good pet parent is ensuring they are happy and healthy, so set a date or month each year that you endeavour to take your fur-friend to the vet, and stick to it.

4. Not Being Consistent with Parasite Protection

Ensuring you provide your pet quality parasite protection is just as important as keeping up to date with their vaccinations.

These small but nasty parasites can cause all sorts of problems for your fur-friend – with many being life threatening.

Fortunately, there are many safe and vet-approved protection options available at VetShopAustralia to keep your pet safe and happy – from collars and topical spot-ons, to oral chews and tablets.

If you are unsure what type of protection is best suited for your pet, check out our helpful guide here.

And most protection methods are administered monthly, so a handy tip is to set a reminder in your calendar for when to give your pet their next dose. That way you will never miss a treatment, and have the peace of mind that your pet is protected all year round.

5. Not Socialising Them

Just like us, dogs too need their weekly dose of socialising and ‘chit chat’ with their counter fur-pals.

Dogs who don’t get the chance to interact with other dogs, tend to develop anxiety and fear-related issues, even dermatological issues.

Even going on walks becomes a whole different experience for dogs who aren’t use to interaction with other pets.

Similar, dogs that don’t receive much human interaction, no playtime, cuddles etc. can feel lonely and get depression.

To ensure your dog is happy and socialised you should:

Take your puppy from a young age (once they are fully vaccinated) to puppy training classes or meet-ups

Let your dog stop and greet other dogs on walks

Visit dog parks or beaches where your dog can run free to explore and meet new friends

Before you get a dog, make sure you have time in your day to spend time and bond with your fur-friend